Minutes
February 18, 2004
Members Present: Laura Arnold, Kelley Balcomb-Bartok, Tim Carpenter, Peter Fromm, David Hoopes, David Loyd, Kit Rawson, Jim Slocomb, Dennis Willows
Absent: Mike Bertrand, Brian Calvert, Terrie Klinger, Mary Masters, Kevin Ranker
Guests: Ray Bigler, Robyn du Pré, Jody Kennedy, Mike Sato
Chair, David Loyd, called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the BOCC conference room at the Courthouse in Friday Harbor.
Minutes: Minutes of the 2/4/04 meeting were approved with the following corrections: on page 3, 3rd ¶, 4th line, replace “commercially harvested species” with “harvest management plans;” and 5th ¶, lst line, insert “...Tulalip tribe.”
Coordinator's Report: Jody distributed copies of the recently signed San Juan County Marine Stewardship Area Resolution. She reported that she will be tracking in-kind contributions for the NWSC grant, including volunteer time; she asked that members log their hours and report them to her on tracking sheets she will be emailing. Jody noted that the Navigating Our Future website has a calendar that includes marine environment events; she suggested that MRC members could join NOF interactive action groups themselves or a user name could be set up for the committee. She will send out an email with the link. Jody asked that members send their contributions for the MRC weekly update to her.
Postcards were distributed announcing the upcoming conference, “A Sound Investment; The Northwest Straits Initiative Looks Ahead.” The NWSC and 7 MRCs will celebrate successes and look to the future of marine conservation at the June 4-5, 2004 public event in Everett; register early by emailing conference@nwstraits.org.
New/Old Business:
David Loyd asked that members review the 2004 Work Plan for discussion at the next meeting.
Dennis said that there will be both spring and fall quarter FH Labs classes that will be attending MRC meetings; Drs. Gunderson and Miller will offer continuing bottomfish studies for the first semester. Dennis suggested that MRC members get their questions or suggested research topics for the classes to the instructors early so that related work could be built into the curricula. He noted that both marine biology and public policy issues are covered by the UW School of Marine Affairs and that the interface between the two is grossly under-tended; he added that this is an opportunity to interface science with policy.
A funding discussion included suggestions to use original art and illustrations of the marine world to capture attention...both of underwater views and of human on-the-water activities. Another fundraising idea was an ROV boat trip (Dennis noted that water visibility is best early and late in the year); Robyn said that donations to the MRC would be tax deductible, the same as those to a 501-C.
Discussion on a MRC retreat is planned for the next meeting's agenda.
Derelict vessels:
David Loyd explained that the county's involvement with derelict vessels will include the MRC as lead entity, Public Works Department (Jon Shannon, Director) and the office of the Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord. Jim offered to contact local salvage operators who could generate a list of salvageable abandoned vessels in the Islands (+salvage cost estimates); he also said he would donate his time to help locate funding. Such derelicts are those that are found on-shore or in shallow subtidal waters. The DNR lists 71 such vessels statewide. David said that interest in the issue spurred by the recent derelict vessel in Deer Harbor demonstrates that there is obvious concern for the marine environment.
Balloon Release Ban:
David Hoopes displayed a mass of 4 or 5 deflated balloons he found on the beach at American Camp. Peter said there has been mention from the industry that many balloons are now 100% latex but an activist website contends that other chemicals are still in use. Peter noted that the main concern is ingestion. Dennis said that it is illegal to bring balloons into Childrens' Hospital in Seattle (deflated balloons are an inhalation danger to children). It was also pointed out that cruise ship traffic (a major source of released balloons) is on the increase here. The subcommittee will find out if Friends of the San Juans have a break down of items collected in local beach cleanups.
WA Sportfishing Guide Ad:
Kelley and David Loyd will meet soon to finalize a draft for MRC review for the next meeting (final copy deadline is March 17th); recommendations can be emailed either to them or to Jody. David proposed adding boat wake and speed restricted areas to the map.
Dennis Willows will be doing a presentation on Thursday night on geomagnetic orientation in migration (at least 50 species, including salmon, are believed to use geomagnetic sensing); Dr. Willow's paper is part of the record in the Georgia Strait Crossing (GSX) pipeline proceedings.
GSX:
David Hoopes said that Wendy Stephenson encourages that San Juan County file an amicus brief in support of the suit filed by FuelSafe of Washington, et al. Laura said the next issue is probably the shoreline permit but noted that Whatcom County's response appears to be the recognition that there is no authority to say no to the project so that they are negotiating possible percs instead. She suggested that San Juan Codnty could do the same (Williams' money for research, monitoring, etc.). Laura and Jim noted that the MRC has put into the record a detailed list of questions years back that have not been directly addressed, although, Laura added, DOE's supplemental EIS says that there are significant environmental impacts but all have been mitigated by Williams. Robyn said that she commented on the EIS and one of the issues was the impacts of pipeline construction (e.g. trenching,, artificial reef) on the marine environment. She suggested that other Williams' marine pipeline projects be researched (e.g. in the Gulf of Mexico) in terms of impacts and monitoring. Jody will research the status of the local permit application. There is some word that Canada has not approved construction of a receiving plant for the natural gas pipeline on Vancouver Island.
Jim said that since it looks as if the project could get steamrolled through one way or another, there needs to be a discussion on whether the perceived potential negative impacts to the economy, environmental resources, and fishermen can be addressed or mitigated with a research and monitoring program funded by Williams. Dennis wondered if a big steel pipe would create a local geo-magnetic anomaly that could, for instance, alter crab migration. He said there needs to be research on the effect on marine organisms (especially on very young larval invertebrates) of chronic small leaks of dissolved hydrocarbons from pipelines in seawater. Other concerns are acoustics and seismic implications.
Marine Stewardship Area:
There will be an MSA outreach subcommittee meeting following today's MRC meeting.
Announcements:
David Hoopes reported from the recent “NWIFC News” that the hydro project on the north fork of the Nooksack River will be reactivated, despite impacts to salmon. He also mentioned that the Tulalip are conducting an extensive study of geoduck population age structure and distribution using shells to age individuals. David said that open ocean fish farms are being encouraged by the federal government, amounting to the commercialization/privatization of public waters. Kelley said that NOAA has earmarked $30 million for the development of such aquaculture in the Homeland Security bill.
Sandy Wylie-Echeverria reported that the 42,000 chum salmon eggs planted in Cascade Creek are hatching in great numbers. David Loyd said that Betsy Peabody is gearing up to do a seeding of abalone and native oysters in the Islands this spring.
Mike Sato passed on the news that the WA Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the following rules for recreational rockfish fishing, effective May 1, 2004: no spearfishing for rockfish in areas 5-13; no retention of yelloweye or canary rockfish (all areas 5-13); open season in areas 5, 6, 7, 9 from May 1st to September 30th with a daily limit of one (lst caught); rockfish retention only during salmon or lingcod open season in areas 8-1, 8-2, 10, 11, 13; and no retention of rockfish at any time in area 12.
Kit said that the state is revising its rockfish monitoring catch assessment.
Mike announced that Island County has approved of an MSA for all its waters. Robyn suggested that the two MRCs might consider dovetailing their outreach efforts.
David Loyd said that funding to expand a Beachwatchers Program in SJC is expected soon.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Submitted by Helen Venada
